Pronounced seasonal rhythms in plasma somatolactin levels in rainbow trout

The aim of this study was to establish whether there are seasonal or age-related changes in circulating levels of somatolactin (SL) in rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss). SL levels were determined in blood sampled at monthly intervals over a 2-year period from a population of rainbow trout maintained under a natural daylength and temperature regime (North-West England, latitude 54 degrees 20' N). SL levels displayed a distinct circannual cycle, with peak levels in summer (17-20 micrograms/l) and lowest levels occurring in winter (0.2-2 micrograms/l). This variation in SL levels was closely correlated with water temperature (P < 0.001) but was out of phase with changes in daylength. Plasma SL levels were significantly higher in both mature male and female fish compared with immature fish. Plasma prolactin levels were determined to provide information on a hormone structurally related to SL, and also because mammalian prolactin is known to show distinct seasonal cycles. However, trout prolactin, in contrast to SL, did not show a pronounced seasonal pattern, although prolactin levels were significantly, but inversely, correlated with water temperature (P < 0.001).